News

Ontario Investing in Compassionate End-of-Life Care in Nipissing

December 14, 2018

NORTH BAY — Ontario’s Government for the People is providing more people in Nipissing with the compassionate care they deserve when nearing the end of their lives.

Today, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli announced the government is moving forward with plans to build 10 new hospice beds at the Nipissing Serenity Hospice, providing an additional $800,000 in capital funding to increase the number of beds from the six originally allocated, and $1,050,000 in ongoing base operating funding annually. This follows a $1.5 million investment from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund announced by Fedeli in August.

“Building new hospice beds across Ontario will provide people with end-of-life care and support in a more comfortable setting,” said Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Christine Elliott. “With early investments like these, our government is ensuring that these patients are provided with the proper comfort, dignity and respect they deserve. This will also help to make more beds available for those who need hospital care. Our government is moving forward quickly to address challenges facing the health care system as we develop our long-term transformational health care strategy.”

Hospices provide patients with palliative care in a comfortable space, where they can be close to loved ones. In this environment, family and friends can have peace of mind knowing that patients will have access to appropriate end-of-life care. Hospice care focuses on relieving suffering and providing services like psychological, spiritual and bereavement support.

“This investment is also helping to address hallway health care, by ensuring more hospital beds remain available for those in need of acute care. We’re creating more beds and spaces to alleviate the pressures on our health care system. “Everyone should have access to dignified end-of-life care that respects the wishes of the patient and their loved ones,” said Fedeli. “That’s why I am proud our government is committed to improving access to comfortable, end-of-life care in communities across the province including here in Nipissing.”

Quick Facts

Ontario is investing nearly $33.6 million to build 193 new hospice beds across the province.

When these beds open, the government will provide $20.3 million each year in operational funding for nursing, personal support, and other services.

The government is supporting an additional 6,000 new long-term care beds – the first wave of more than 15,000 new long-term care beds being added in the next five years.

Ontario is investing an additional $90 million in 2018-19 to build 1,100 beds and spaces in hospitals and the community, including 640 new beds and spaces.